Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Will Rogers, Amy Ryan
Director: Stephen Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Duration: 141 minutes
Now showing at Cinema Magic Metroplex Mall Naalya and Century Cinemax Acacia Mall Kisementi
You see historical drama tagged to a movie and chances are high that you will stay away from it. This is, especially true for anyone who watches movies for the fun of it. Staying away from Bridge of Spies because it is a historical drama would be a mistake. This promises to be one of those movies you enjoy so much that you recommend to even people you are sure will not be interested. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Bridge of Spies is based on real events that happened during the Cold War, hence the historical tag. It follows an insurance lawyer, James Donovan (Hanks), who takes on the defence of Rudolf Abel (Ryland). Abel is no ordinary suspect. He is suspected to be a Soviet spy. If you know your Cold War nitty-gritties well, then it goes without saying that being found guilty of being a Soviet spy at that time was tantamount to the death sentence. Of course, an American lawyer defending the said suspect also comes with consequences, and Donovan faces these consequences. From death threats to tension at home, his job is not easy. But he sticks to it, defending his client to the best of his abilities. His power of negotiation comes in handy at another part of the plot when the USSR want to exchange an American prisoner for Abel. Here is where the drama comes in.
Needless to say, the plot is exciting, even if you know the real life events outside the movie. This comes as no surprise since the Coen Brothers co-wrote the script. To put these guys’ awesomeness at script writing in perspective, think movies like Fargo and No Country for Old Men.
The icing on the cake is Spielberg and Hanks together. I do not know what it is about these two working on a movie together but they seem to complement each other –Saving Private Ryan or Catch Me If You Can, anyone? Hanks has proved his screen charisma for years, playing everything from a leading man in Sleepless in Seattle to Forrest Gump. You just cannot help rooting for his characters. That charisma shines through in Bridge of Spies.
Honestly, the only problem I had with this movie is its title, which will sadly make anyone who judges movies by their titles, overlook it.